Presumed nasolacrimal endometriosis
Ilgin Türkçüoğlu1, Peykan Türkçüoğlu, Julide Kurt
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Inönü University School of Medicine, Malatya, Turkey. peykan74@yahoo.com
Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
|January 23, 2008
Summary
Nasolacrimal endometriosis is a rare condition causing cyclic bleeding from the eye during menstruation. Diagnosis can be challenging, requiring advanced imaging like MRI to identify the hemorrhagic tissue.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Gynecology
- Pathology
Background:
- Cyclic bleeding from the ocular punctum, synchronized with menstruation, is an uncommon presentation.
- Nasolacrimal endometriosis, though rare, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of such symptoms.
Observation:
- A 13-year-old female presented with cyclic bleeding from the left inferior punctum during her menstrual periods.
- Clinical examination revealed crusted hemorrhage in the tear meniscus and inferior to the left caruncle.
Findings:
- Gradient-echo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) successfully identified hemorrhagic tissue within the nasolacrimal canal.
- The imaging findings confirmed the diagnosis of nasolacrimal endometriosis.
Implications:
- Nasolacrimal endometriosis presents diagnostic challenges, often necessitating advanced imaging techniques.
- Effective management and definitive histologic diagnosis remain areas requiring further research and clinical development.
